Each easy-to-swallow capsule provides a special combination of micronutrients the eyes may require, including Lutein, Zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, which are potent antioxidant carotenoids. Lutein is the most abundant carotenoid in fruits and vegetables, and is found to be highly concentrated in the macula of the eye. Combining Lutein and Zeaxanthin carotenoids with Vitamin D3 provides dual-action macular support for healthy eyes and vision clarity.* Other nutrients included in this synergistic formula are zinc from zinc picolinate (a chelated form of zinc that is easy for the body to absorb and use), natural Vitamin E, Vitamin C, selenium, and much more.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Supplement Facts

Take two capsules twice daily (preferably with morning and evening meals) or as directed by a Healthcare Professional.

Disclaimer:
This scientific independent research is provided by Aisle7 and is for informational use only. GNC provides this information as a service but does not endorse it. Likewise, Aisle7 does not recommend or endorse any specific products.

Focus on Eye Health Supplements

Replacing the beta-carotene with carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin provided the same benefits for all while reducing lung cancer risk the original formula increased in former smokers

DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid from fish oil, plays an important role in developing prenatal and infant visual systems and has been associated with reduced risk of macular degeneration in observational research. Despite some promising double-blind research also showing benefit of certain nutrient combinations for people already diagnosed with macular degeneration, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that adding omega-3s to a nutrient combination did not slow down disease progression any more than that same formulation on its own. However, they did find that replacing the beta-carotene in that formulation with other carotenoids provided the same benefits while preventing increased lung cancer risk the original formula caused in former smokers.

Uncovering the keys to eye health

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. It happens when the macula-a yellow spot on the retina of the eye-is damaged, leading to progressive central vision loss.

In 2001, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (ARMDS) found that taking an antioxidant supplement containing vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc could reduce the risk of macular degeneration progression by about 25% in people with the disease. Since then, other studies have suggested that additional nutrients might also help people with macular degeneration.

The first of these are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) found in fish oil. Observational studies have suggested that people who eat more fish containing these omega-3 fatty acids have a lower risk of macular degeneration.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants found in green leafy vegetables, corn, egg yolks, and broccoli. These carotenoids are found in high concentrations in the macula and lend the macula its bright yellow appearance. One study showed that a combination of omega-3s and lutein and zeaxanthin could increase macular pigment density in people with macular degeneration, a factor associated with decreased risk of the disease.

Fine-tuning the formula

For the study, called AREDS2, researchers decided to make some changes to the original AREDS supplement to see how different formulations would affect macular degeneration progression. Over 4,000 people aged 50 to 85 years who were at risk for advanced macular degeneration took part in the 5-year study.

The control group took the standard AREDS formula.

One group took the AREDS formula with 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin.

One group took the AREDS formula with 650 mg of EPA and 350 mg of DHA.

Another group took the AREDS formula with all four of these ingredients.

They also made some other changes to the formula, including decreasing the amount of zinc and swapping out the beta-carotene for lutein and zeaxanthin. High doses of zinc can cause stomach upset and beta-carotene may increase lung cancer risk in smokers, limiting its use in these people.

Here are the highlights of the study's findings:

Adding lutein and zeaxanthin or DHA and EPA to the formula didn't change the supplement's effectiveness.

Adding all four ingredients to the formula also didn't change the supplement's effectiveness.

Lowering the zinc dose didn't change the effectiveness of the supplement, but it did decrease the likelihood of stomach upset.

Substituting lutein and zeaxanthin for the beta-carotene didn't take away from the positive effects of the supplement on eye health.

"Because of potential increased incidence of lung cancer in former smokers, lutein and zeaxanthin could be an appropriate carotenoid substitute in the AREDS formulation," commented lead study author, Dr. Emily Chew of the National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health.

See the light

To help prevent macular degeneration, eye health experts recommend getting regular exercise, avoiding smoking, eating fish at least once a week, and consuming plenty of antioxidant-rich foods. Chopping, pureeing, and cooking carotenoid-containing foods in oil help make their beneficial compounds more absorbable.

(JAMA 2013;doi:10.1001/jama.2013.4997)

Kimberly Beauchamp, ND, received her doctoral degree from Bastyr University, the nation's premier academic institution for science-based natural medicine. She co-founded South County Naturopaths in Wakefield, RI, where she practiced whole family care with an emphasis on nutritional counseling, herbal medicine, detoxification, and food allergy identification and treatment. Her blog, Eat Happy, helps take the drama out of healthy eating with real food recipes and nutrition news that you can use. Dr. Beauchamp is a regular contributor to Healthnotes Newswire.